Families Minister Jenny Macklin's office is declining to hand over its press conference recording on which an incomplete transcript was based, omitting the minister's claim that she could survive on the dole.

After Ms Macklin stated that she could live on the dole - which is about $35 a day - her office issued a transcript to the media which left out the journalist's question and the relevant part of the minister's answer.

Her remark at a doorstop interview in Melbourne on Tuesday has prompted a wave of reaction from welfare advocates who are calling on the government to boost the benefits paid to the unemployed.

Greens MP Adam Bandt announced on Wednesday morning he would try to survive on the dole for a week and called on Ms Macklin to join him.

Claims she could live on $35 a day ... the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin. Photo: Craig Sillitoe

Her spokeswoman has denied that the remark, in which Ms Macklin said, ''I could'' after being asked whether she could survive on the dole, was deliberately cut out of the transcript.

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The question and part-answer appeared as ''inaudible''.

On Tuesday, Ms Macklin's spokeswoman said the transcript had been written ''from a recording done on an iPhone of an outdoor press conference'' - suggesting there had been some sound interference at the crucial moment.

On Wednesday morning, after Fairfax Media asked for the recording, the spokeswoman responded initially by sending via email a generic statement that ''the transcript did not intentionally exclude comments from the minister''.

She has not responded to subsequent requests.

As a cabinet minister, Ms Macklin earns $6321 a week, 25 times the rate of the Newstart allowance.

Mr Bandt said it was ''outrageous'' for Ms Macklin to say she could survive on the dole.

''Once you take into account your rent, your bills, your food, there's not much change left over from $35 a day,'' he said.

''There has been inquiry after inquiry, report after report saying this is an income that's below the poverty line, it's not really an income at all.

''I think the minister needs a first-hand experience of living off the dole and perhaps she will change her mind.''

Not only welfare groups but also the Business Council of Australia support lifting the dole. Three parliamentary inquiries have also concluded that the current payment is not enough.

Housing Minister Brendan O'Connor has defended Ms Macklin and the new policy, while slamming Mr Bandt.

"I think it's quite patronising to pretend that you can actually live the experience by living on the unemployment benefit or Newstart for one week," Mr O'Connor told Sky News on Wednesday.

"Our efforts are better deployed in working out ways that we can get people off unemployment benefits and into work."

He said the Gillard government understood it would be difficult to survive on $35 a day, but the policy was designed to get people into jobs in the long-term interest of families.

"It increases the likelihood of people participating in the workforce, acquiring the skills needed, so that they do not find themselves indefinitely unemployed; that, of course, would be a terrible tragedy.

"You do not want to see a child grow up in a jobless household; that has a long-term adverse impact, not only on the parents, but on the children."

Employment Minister Bill Shorten has in the past admitted ''it must be diabolically difficult'' for the unemployed to make ends meet.